SOUTHERN CROSS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1929, Page 5

SOUTHERN CROSS

NO SIGN OF ANDERSON

LONG SEARCH LIKELY

(Australiau Press Association)

SYDNEY. April 15

The two planes engaged in ‘lie search for Anderson have arrived at Oodnadatta. They will now proceed to Alice Springs (which is about the centre of Australia). The search for the “Kookaburra” may be more difficult than that for the Southern Cross, as the plane is supposed to be in a country of vast and unexplored distances far from communications and with scanty means of making itself known.

ANOTHER PLANE MISSING

IN HEART OF AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY, April 15

Captain Murray and his wife, of Singapore, who reached Darwin, by steamer and who had resumed their flight in a .Moth plane for Meloburnc yesterday morning, had not arrived at Newcastle Waters last night. As they are believed to be following the route of the overland telegraph, it is expected that the task of locating them will not be a difficult one.

MURRAY’S WRECKED MOTH.

OCCUPANTS UNHURT

(Received this day at 8.30. a.m.) DARWIN, April 16.

The Moth aeroplane in which Captain Murray and his wife were travelling south, was badly damaged following a forced landing near Warlock. A landing was safely effected but in attempting to rise again the plane struck some scrub and was damaged beyond repair. The occupants were unhurt.

WHERE IS ANDERSON?

TWO ALTERNATIVE THEORIES

SYDNEY. April 15

There is still no news of Keith Anderson ami Hitchcock in Hie “Kookonburra.”

It is pointed out that they had trouble with their compasses in the early portion of their journey, and it is now conjectured that, after leaving Alice Springs for the Kimberly district last Wednesday, they might have got off their course, and have landed at some isolated cattle station.

On the contrary the plane might have been forced down in the desert, in which case the position of the crew will he one calling for urgent rescue efforts, as they will he without food and water, and life is not long supportable in such a predicament.

NEXT FLIGHT OF SOUTHERN CROSS.

TO DERBY THIS WEEK

SYDNEY, April 15

Supplies of petrol will he taken to the Southern Cross hv aeroplane, ptobably on Friday next. It is thought that her crew will have gained sufficient strength Jiv the end of the week to clear a runway for their machine, and that they will probably nave flown to Derby by that time.

A PEN PICTURE

OF THE AIRMEN

AFTER THEIR DISCOVERY.

HEATH’S REPORT.

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) DERBY, Western Australia, April 15. A pen picture of tbe Southern Cross crew is provided by tbe aviator Heath and J. Tonkin, a journalist, who landed near the Southern Cross on Saturday. McWilliams was a regular wild man. He wore shorts and had a heavy heard and hairy limbs, and presented a fearsome aspect, especially when he smiled. it needed a second glance to identify Ulm. who would easily have passed for an Afghan. His dirty shirt hung half wav down his legs. Smithy was easily recognisable, but was painfully-thin. Litchfield was less unkempt, fairly fit, and with radiant face. Heath handed the aviators a budget of telegrams received since the news of their discovery. These were opened am] hurriedly read aloud, great hilarity culminating with the Halleujali chorus and the Frothblowers’ Anthem. Heath was chaired in order that lie might be photographed with the others* They were very weak men who did tho chairing. Smith asked Heath to undertake the transport of petrol and furthei stoics as lie knows the ground. Heath states it is marvellous liow the Southern Cross landed without damage in such. a perilous spot with the engines almost touching the trees, while behind the machine there were vast stretches of reeds covering a black mud-flat. Heath’s piano had great difficulty in hopping off again. Heath will probabh return to the Southern Cross to-mor-row.

MELBOURNE, April 16

Tho 'Prime Minister (Mr S. M. Bruce) telegraphed Holden ol the air liner Canberra the heartiest, congratulations on his gallant efforts. “In discovering the crew of the Southern Cross you have earned the thanks and admiration of tho whole of Australia,”